"That's a fine ship."
Aboard the Death Star, Raiden Makoto stood at the bow, watching the turbulent waves below.
Under the cover of night, only the Death Star was illuminated.
"Of course it is." Beidou felt a swell of pride; this was the ship he had spent years fighting to obtain, and receiving praise from Raiden Makoto made him feel even prouder.
On Watatsumi Island, Raiden Makoto had taught Sangonomiya Kokomi everything she could. Upon hearing that trouble had broken out on Narukami Island, Sangonomiya Kokomi had asked Beidou to accompany her. Naturally, she would not refuse the offer of having more help.
However, aboard the Death Star, Kaedehara Kazuha had unexpectedly challenged Kujou Sara to a Shogunate Duel. As the former Electro Archon, how could Raiden Makoto not know what a Shogunate Duel meant?
"Kazuha, are you truly going to challenge Kujou Sara to a Shogunate Duel?"
There was a hint of determination in Kaedehara Kazuha's eyes. It was right before the Raiden Shogun that his friend had challenged Kujou Sara to a Shogunate Duel, only to be defeated and ultimately perish under the Raiden Shogun's punishment.
Even though Raiden Makoto was not the Raiden Shogun, she was still the Divine Lord Ryūjin of Inazuma. In the presence of Raiden Makoto, or in the presence of the Raiden Shogun, was there really any difference?
At least, that was what Kaedehara Kazuha believed.
His friend's wish had been for the Vision Hunt Decree to be lifted, but along the way, he had discovered that the Vision Hunt Decree existed in name only.
His friend's wish was nearing completion, but what about his own?
What was his own wish? Was it to avenge his friend? To prove himself? It was neither.
He was pursuing his own path.
Was life not meant to be lived with carefree abandon? No matter how many hardships he faced, he would not fear them.
"It is." Kaedehara Kazuha's crimson eyes held a hint of resolve as he looked calmly at Kujou Sara.
"I accept." A look of conviction appeared on Kujou Sara's face. She had a faint recollection of Kaedehara Kazuha.
She also remembered Kaedehara Kazuha's friend.
...
Narukami Island, Inazuma City.
Under the veil of night, in a pitch-black alleyway, a slender young man appeared, dressed in grey clothes with rolled-up sleeves, his top slightly revealing his midriff, and a light blue Vision fastened to his belt.
He had short brown hair, and at that moment, there was a strip of cloth resembling a headband tied around it.
"I don't know what that guy Scaramouche is doing. Why hasn't he sent any word?"
"Besides, I have to disguise myself to move around Inazuma; otherwise, it would be troublesome if those flies discovered me. I don't even know where La Signora is right now." A hint of helplessness appeared on the young man's fair face.
However, just as he was about to make his move, several Shogunate Soldiers suddenly surrounded him.
"Thoma, stop right there! Do you think you can escape?"
Startled by the shout of the lead Shogunate Soldier, the young man froze in place, bewildered. While he was in a state of confusion, a nearby Shogunate Soldier said to one who appeared to be the squad leader: "Captain, he must be Thoma. He looks a bit like the one on the Wanted Poster; he probably disguised himself."
In the darkness of the night, they couldn't see the young man's features very clearly, but in terms of appearance, he was indeed very similar to the one on the poster.
Since they had failed to capture Thoma last time, it made sense that he would use a disguise to move around Inazuma.
"Hmm."
"Come with us to the Tenryou Commission obediently, Thoma!" The Shogunate Soldier squad leader nodded, feeling quite satisfied.
If he could catch Thoma, he would have rendered a great service, and the Clan Head would surely reward him.
Although the squad leader's face was full of a stern expression, his heart was already blooming with joy.
"Do not be stubborn! To resist the Vision Hunt Decree is to resist the Shogun! Don't think that just because you are from the Yashiro Commission..." However, before the squad leader could finish, the brown-haired youth made his move in the darkness. A water snake appeared on his hand, and the next second, it transformed into a spear, piercing directly toward the Shogunate Soldiers.
In a few moments, the youth had killed several Shogunate Soldiers, leaving a scene of chaos behind. Of the nearly seven or eight Shogunate Soldiers, only one remained.
Under the youth's gaze, that Shogunate Soldier fled in a panic.
After the Shogunate Soldier had completely disappeared, the youth clapped his hands, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
If he wanted to kill, he could certainly kill them all.
"To think they mistook me for Thoma. Although I don't know who Thoma is, I heard them say he's from the Yashiro Commission..."
"It would be quite nice if I could stir up conflict between the Tenryou Commission and the Yashiro Commission." After saying this, the youth vanished into the night.
...
"Divine Lord Ryūjin, I have been defeated..." Kujou Sara knelt on one knee directly before Raiden Makoto. Her Shogunate Duel with Kaedehara Kazuha had actually resulted in her defeat.
But she had to admit, Kaedehara Kazuha's swordsmanship... was truly formidable; she was no match for Kaedehara Kazuha.
"I am willing to accept punishment!" Knowing what a Shogunate Duel entailed under the Raiden Shogun, Kujou Sara closed her eyes completely.
"Who said I was going to punish you?" Raiden Makoto rolled her eyes. "You two wanted to spar, what does that have to do with me?"
"Divine Lord Ryūjin? Are you not also the Raiden Shogun? The rules of the Shogunate Duel..."
"Rules are just rules; they can change as the times shift. They are not immutable." Raiden Makoto said indifferently, "Does Inazuma not also need to undergo a great transformation from top to bottom?"
"As for punishment, I punish you to continue serving as the General of the Tenryou Commission and maintain the stability of Inazuma."
"Divine Lord Ryūjin..."
Raiden Makoto's words thoroughly moved Kujou Sara. She finally understood why everything had felt so strange ever since she learned of Kujou Takayuki's actions.
"I will."
She would continue to fight for the Divine Lord Ryūjin!
"Kazuha, your friend..."
"I know. I have already let go." Kaedehara Kazuha smiled. "Divine Lord Ryūjin, I believe that with you, Inazuma will be even better and full of more hope."
"As for me..."
I will move forward with the wind.
"Hmm."
"It seems you have found your path, child." Raiden Makoto smiled gently. She quite appreciated Kaedehara Kazuha's temperament.
"Kazuha is a good kid, isn't he? Hahaha, I like his temperament too." Beidou felt that the best thing he had done was to take in Kaedehara Kazuha and his band of brothers.
"However, because of the Wanted Poster, this kid has lived..." Just as Beidou was about to continue, Kaedehara Kazuha quickly stopped him.
"Big Sis, say no more..."
"That is already a thing of the past. Like passing smoke, it has dissipated, so why dwell on it?" Kaedehara Kazuha said indifferently.
"Hmm."
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